Tanya Scoon

Neighbourhood Watch volunteers in Kirkcaldy, Kinghorn and Burntisland have been working with local tenants and residents groups to make local communities safer to live in.

And they have come up with new ideas to help boost membership, linking up to discuss ways to tackle problems in their areas and setting up a new website to exchange information on things like the latest scams, bogus callers and safety advice.

The website aims to boost community safety with information on ongoing issues and plans to tackle them.

It has input from police, including real time crime information, and Fife Council’s Safer Communities Team will also be linked in, givng the public more insight into the work it is carrying out in their neighbourhoods.

Jim Watson, chairman of Kirkcaldy, Kinghorn and Burntisland Neighbourhood Watch Association said that working with the residents’ groups, including the Highlands and Islands TRA and councillors to improve the area around Orkney and Shetland Place and Caithness Place had been well received.

“I’ve spoken to residents about safety issues and the new website, and new Neighbourhood Watch signs have been put up in the streets,” he explained.

“We are trying to get everyone involved and communication is the vital key as what is happening in one area can affect the rest of Fife.

“We are also working with Invertiel and Central Burntisland residents groups to improve the quality of life for all our residents.”

Councillor Ian Cameron said it was a great way for residents to discuss things that were important to them.

“We held meetings months ago to boost interest in Neighbourhood Watch as membership was diminishing. Jim and his team got together with the tenants and residents groups and came up with the idea for this interactive website where people can discuss problems and get input from the police and council,” he said.

“It is working well in the Kirkcaldy East area and we are discussing a phased action programme which will see everyone continuing to work together to cut crime and make improvements.”